Russia Calls on U.S. to Ensure Prompt Repatriation of Crew from Captured Tanker

Russia has called on the United States to facilitate the quick repatriation of Russian crew members from a tanker that was seized by U.S. forces in the North Atlantic.

The Russian Foreign Ministry stated through state media, «In light of recent information about the presence of Russian nationals among the crew, we insist that the United States guarantee humane treatment, fully respect their rights and interests, and not obstruct their swift return to their homeland.»

The statement did not specify the number of Russian citizens on board the tanker, which was pursued by U.S. military from the shores of Venezuela.

According to U.S. officials, the tanker is associated with a so-called shadow fleet transporting oil for nations like Venezuela, Russia, and Iran, in breach of U.S. sanctions.

The vessel had previously evaded an attempt by U.S. forces to intercept it last month near Venezuela, coinciding with a U.S. operation that led to the ousting of the country’s authoritarian leader, Nicolás Maduro, over the weekend.

«The vessel was confiscated in the North Atlantic under a warrant issued by a federal court in the U.S.,» reported U.S. European Command, which manages American military operations in the area, in a statement on platform X.

Following the seizure, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth noted that the U.S. blockade against Venezuelan oil is fully operational «anywhere in the world.»

Soon after confirming the successful North Atlantic operation, the U.S. military announced a second tanker, under sanctions, had been captured in the Caribbean Sea.

During the weekend, U.S. special forces captured Maduro and his wife in Caracas and transported them to New York to face drug-related charges.

In response, Trump declared that the United States intends to exert control over Venezuela and that American companies will take charge of its vital oil sector.

The Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security, working alongside the Department of Defense, announced today the seizure of the vessel M/V Bella 1 for breaching U.S. sanctions. The ship was taken in the North Atlantic under a federal court warrant after being monitored by the USCGC Munro.

Despite Russia deploying a submarine to escort the unladen tanker, which was flying the Russian flag and well away from U.S. shores, «For reasons that are unclear to us, the Russian vessel is garnering disproportionate attention from the U.S. and NATO forces, which seems excessive given its peaceful status,» the Russian Foreign Ministry commented prior to the seizure.

Previously known as the Bella-1, the vessel changed its registration to Russia, was renamed Marinera, and the crew is said to have painted a Russian flag on the tanker.

Initially on a course for South America, the tanker was not carrying any cargo at the time it successfully evaded the U.S. blockade. It has faced U.S. sanctions since 2024 due to alleged connections with Iran and Hezbollah.

On Tuesday, Trump announced that Venezuela would deliver tens of millions of barrels of oil to the United States following the capture of Maduro.

He stated that between 30 to 50 million barrels of «high-quality, sanctioned» Venezuelan crude will be transported to U.S. ports, with the potential revenue—estimated to exceed $2 billion at current market rates—controlled by him personally.

It remains uncertain whether Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, has consented to this oil transfer, how the arrangement would function, or its legal justification.

Rodríguez, who has been a long-standing ally of Maduro as vice president and energy minister, has pledged cooperation with the U.S. amid concerns about Trump’s intentions for broader regime change.

Trump has asserted that Washington is now «in charge» of the South American country, pledging a new policy of U.S. supremacy in the Western Hemisphere.